WELDON, N.C. – Halifax Community College (HCC) will participate in a press conference with three other community colleges on March 22 at 10 a.m. The event is regarding the N.C. Community College System's (NCCCS) state budget priorities for the 2017-19 biennium, including a program that could save state taxpayers money.

The event, which will be held in the Craig F. Goess Student Center's Walter and Marie Williams Faculty and Staff Dining Room (Room 132), will feature four community college presidents from the state's Northeast Prosperity Zone addressing the media. In addition to HCC president Dr. Michael A Elam, presidents from Pitt, Martin and Roanoke-Chowan community colleges will participate.

Included in NCCCS budget priorities is increased funding for services aimed at supporting student completion and short-term training programs that quickly lead to better jobs. For PCC, that would mean $782,251 for student support services and $528,786 for short-term training programs.

NCCCS is also seeking funding to encourage college transfer. The money would go toward scholarships for community college students who complete associate degrees before moving on to a North Carolina four-year college or university, public or private.

If approved, students would receive a $2,500-scholarship per year for up to two years as long as they maintain satisfactory academic progress. An N.C. Guaranteed Admission Program Report states that North Carolina taxpayers would save $8,000 for each student incentivized to start at a community college rather than a UNC institution.

Halifax Community
College's Mission
Halifax Community College strives to meet the
diverse needs of our community by providing
high-quality, accessible and affordable education
and services for a rapidly changing and globally
competitive marketplace.